Expectations higher from me now: Gazi

Sohag Gazi, after becoming the first cricketer to score a ton and take a hat-trick in Test cricket, remains grounded and focused on the path ahead.

Gazi is aware that expectations will rise every time he goes out to bat or gets a ball but he is not ready to be burdened by the extra attention. The 22-year-old is Bangladesh cricket's newest sensation and he knows the journey has just begun; how it unfolds in the years to come will of course depend on him but the all-rounder is ready for the challenges ahead.

Here are excerpts from Gazi's exclusive interview with Cricbuzz.

Rajarshi Gupta: You have become a part of history, one that will not be broken very easily. A century and a hat-trick. Has that feeling sunk in yet?

Sohag Gazi: Everyday since the record I have been reminded of it by people around me and the media. It feels very good obviously but I am also a practical person. I know that in the next match I start at zero run and zero wicket. The record is simply an inspiration for trying your hardest every time.

Rajarshi Gupta: What were your thoughts when you were about to bowl the hat-trick ball? You had also done that before in first class cricket.

Sohag Gazi: Nothing much. I left the field setting to the captain and just concentrated on pitching the ball in the area where I wanted.

Rajarshi Gupta: After such a rare feat, the burden of expectations from a cricket loving nation like Bangladesh will be huge. Are you ready for that?

Sohag Gazi: I don't really worry about that. For me it is all about trying to perform all the time. It was my dream to play international cricket and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far.

Rajarshi Gupta: The game has seen some great all-rounders. Hadlee, Kapil, Imran, Kallis. Nobody has been able to do what you did. Including the greatest of them, Sobers. How did you feel the morning after, when you woke up and saw the newspapers talk of your achievement?

Sohag Gazi: I was pleasantly surprised to be honest. In my hometown Patuakhali hundreds had assembled at the river port to receive me when I arrived there in a ferry for the Eid break. I was accorded a reception by the town's elite. I found myself becoming a household name almost overnight. Like I said before, these things are good but it also reminds you that the level of expectation will be higher from here on.

Rajarshi Gupta: Bangladesh cricket is coming up the ranks after a lot of toil and hard work. Do you think youngsters like yourself should be playing a lot more against India, Australia and South Africa?

Sohag Gazi: You can only improve if you play against tougher opposition. We are coming up. We have become quite competitive in the one dayers and our performance graph has gone upwards in Test cricket also. We need opportunity to play against teams like India, Australia, England and South Africa in their conditions as well as in ours.

Rajarshi Gupta: After that fighting century, surely you would want to bat higher up. Experts have lauded your temperament and see the makings of a great all-rounder.

Sohag Gazi: I take my batting very seriously. I am not concerned about where I bat. I get satisfaction out of contributing with the bat.

Rajarshi Gupta: There haven't been too many off-spinners from Bangladesh. Who inspired you to take up the art?

Sohag Gazi: I guess I always liked the way Muttiah Muralitharan bowled. I started bowling off-break and found out that I was causing problems for the batsmen. I just continued with it,

Rajarshi Gupta: Do you have any role models in international cricket?

Sohag Gazi: I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Pakistan great Saqlain Mushtaq. He has had a significant impact on my bowling. Just listening to him was an unforgettable experience. I also feel privileged to share the dressing room with Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal. These are players the whle Bangladesh look up to and they inspire me.

Rajarshi Gupta: Tendulkar retires after his 200th Test next month. Any regrets that you will not be able to bowl at the greatest batsman of the modern era?

Sohag Gazi: It would have been memorable but unfortunately I may never get that chance. He could make any spinner look ordinary.